I ride an 04 r1150 rockster, and was wondering if there are any durability issues to worry about with my splines or gearbox. I was under the impression that the rocksters came with the short ratio gearbox from the GSA's....does this make it more solid? I'm at 35k and I commute daily . I've changed the rear diff and gearbox oil, and don't feel anything out of the ordinary, I'm just curious.

I ride an 04 r1150 rockster, and was wondering if there are any durability issues to worry about with my splines or gearbox. I was under the impression that the rocksters came with the short ratio gearbox from the GSA's....does this make it more solid? I'm at 35k and I commute daily . I've changed the rear diff and gearbox oil, and don't feel anything out of the ordinary, I'm just curious.

Afternoon eliastfk93

Gearbox ratios don't seem to have any effect on spline failures as it is mostly an alignment issue that causes the failures. (the 2004 bikes seem to be better than the earlier 1150 bikes)

At 35K you are just coming up on the end mileage of most early 1150 spline failures (not that they can't happen at a later mileage but most chronic early failures come at slightly earlier mileage).

If you are worried just remove the starter, then zip tie the clutch lever to the handlebar, then use a sharp pick or long thin screwdriver & see how much clutch disk rotation you have on the spline shaft prior to the spline shaft starting to rotate.

I picked up an '04 Rockster recently with 32k miles on it. While it seemed fine with no issues I proactively pulled the gearbox to inspect/lube the splines and found them heavily worn. The disk splines were about 80% gone.

Thanks dirtrider and Craig G! All seems well so far. It's the been the best "do everything" bike I could ever ask for. I commute almost daily, I've taken 1200 mile touring drip along the gulf coast, and its got so much character. Oh yeah, my last bike was an 04 r1150r standard model, and it had 48,000 miles when I got rid of it and there were no issues of the sort. I just wondered if the rocksters differed at all in that department.

The problem is this. If you have a good one, it will last a long, long time. If you have a bad one, it will go bad between 30,000 and 40,000 miles. It will feel just like a good one, right up to the point when the splines strip out and leave you on the side of the road staring at a multi-thousand dollar repair bill. If you have some mechanical skills it is well worth the time and effort to check it out, as DR recommended above. There are enough bad ones out there to warrant taking a peek.

I just pulled an 02 R1150Rt with 90k. The clutch and transmission splines were dry as a bone. There was zero problems with it's function. I agreed that some make it and some don't. I am beginning to suspect the newer thinner flywheel that started with 2002 could be the problem and allows wobble of pressure plates? It appears the grease & lubrication made no difference to this one. If anyone wants to see pictures, let me know. I can't find an attachment link here? Mark

I am beginning to suspect the newer thinner flywheel that started with 2002 could be the problem and allows wobble of pressure plates?

I'd love it if could be explained that easily.... the question then is why do so many (post 2002) go the distance without issue.

Afternoon Craig G

Wobble would give us asymmetrical spline wear patterns with an uneven wear pattern at different clocking's on the spline shaft.

All the BMW 1150 spline wear that I have seen is very symmetrical with an even matching taper on all the individual splines & that indicates an alignment issue not a wobble issue.

The question is: what causes the mis-alignment on some & not on others. Is it a manufacturing tolerance stack-up problem, or a parts quality problem, or a shipping problem (shipping crate mis-handling/dropping during shipping as bikes were crated with no front wheel installed), or even an engine (crankshaft location in relation to alignments dowels) problem, or ????????

DR... I think your above response was intended for Mark C, not me. My response to him casts doubt on the wobble theory.

I have a number of theories concerning this issue and am methodically working my way to evaluate a posible solution... not meaning I'll ever understand root cause. Making use of mods available to provide full spline engagement is the start. Just need to accrue miles to evaluate the mods.

I did that mod with no improvement. A VW mechanic told me they had Rabbit Diesel do this too, they were told to shim . One of the no see problems with BMW using the trans housing as a bell housing. Once it's plugged in, you can't see . Funny how BMW went to a top plastic inspection cover on Hexheads?